Hawkeye Graduate Named Deputy of the Year

Longtime Officer Honored as Deputy of the Year

Deputy George Wright (left) is presented with the 2012 Deputy of the Year Award for Black Hawk County by Sheriff Tony Thompson.

Wright is a 1989 graduate of Hawkeye's Police Science program

WATERLOO, Iowa --- When George Wright got the call telling him he was named Deputy of the Year, he thought it was a joke.

Wright, 47, a 20-plus veteran of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office, was out of town during the department's Christmas party when the announcement was made, and coworkers phoned to tell him the news.

"I didn't believe them. They finally gave the phone to (Sheriff) Tony Thompson, and he explained that I did. I guess it was a little bit of shock," said Wright.

Thompson said Wright was nominated for the award by supervisors and his peers for his commitment, diligent service and dedication.

"Deputy Wright has distinguished himself through his positive attitude, always upbeat and energetic," Thompson said.

Wright, a Waterloo native, is currently the senior deputy on first shift with the jail division.

He said he became interested in law enforcement while a student at Central High.

"In high school, I started thinking about it, and then after the military got out, a couple friends of mine talked me into going to police science," Wright said.

After graduating from Hawkeye Community College, he did an internship with the Evansdale Police Department. He was later hired by the department and served for three years before switching to the sheriff's office in February 1992.

Wright worked at the old county jail and then rode patrol for about 14 years before he transferred back to the jail division in the new facility. He plans to try for an assignment in the civil division in the future.

He said the best part about his job is the people he works with.

"If I didn't like those folks, I probably wouldn't come in. I got a great group of people I work with, and we help each other out throughout the day," he said.